BUCS Wednesday: November 29

University of Warwick Women’s Lacrosse 1s 10-14 University of Cambridge Women’s Lacrosse 2s

It was cold, blustery, and damp out on the Cryfield pitches on this Wednesday afternoon of BUCS sport, where the women’s lacrosse 1s took on Cambridge 2s. While I myself struggled to combat the unfavourable weather conditions, the Warwick team seemed more than up to the test, putting in a valiant, albeit unsuccessful, performance against a very strong Cambridge outfit.

It was the visitors who carried the momentum early on, with three goals coming in quick succession. Emily Standen was able to get one back for Warwick, following a decisive drive round the outside of the defender. From that point on the two sides seemed locked in an all-out offensive battle.

Cambridge scored another two before Standen put away her second, benefitting from a looping pass over the top. Both sides then grabbed another goal before the close of the first half. Cambridge perhaps could have had several more had it not been for the miraculous saves of both keeper and captain, Meghna Vaghani.

In the second half, the game’s frenetic pace showed no signs of wearing off. Straight from the restart, Cambridge managed to play the ball nicely up the pitch and extend their lead to 7-3. This time it was Katie Standen who responded for Warwick, driving swiftly from 20 metres out and firing it in the corner. For a moment the comeback really did seem on; a powerful shot from Serena Clarke and a third from Emily Standen brought the score-line to 7-6.

As much as Warwick chipped away, however, they were never able to fully halt the Cambridge offensive. Two well-worked goals by Cambridge stretched the lead out once again and Warwick could just never seem to bring it back level. Another timely strike by Emily Standen would make it at one point 11-9, before Cambridge went on a final three goal streak to erase any hope of a Warwick resurgence.

Even though they came up short Warwick should take pride in what was ultimately a brave, high-scoring performance. They must now switch their focus to their upcoming match against Nottingham 2s in a week’s time, in what will hopefully be their first league win of the season..

Greg Moore

University of Warwick Men’s Football 3s 1-4 Newman University Men’s 1s Football

Newman Men’s 1s comfortably defeated Warwick Men’s 3s 4-1 at Cryfield Sports Field on Wednesday afternoon to continue their 100% start to the BUCS season, and to leave Warwick afoot of the table without even as much as a point.

Despite a hot start by Newman, it was Warwick who opened the scoring and provided the league leaders with an early scare. Striker Callum McCarthy turned his man and dinked his effort over the oncoming goalkeeper to send the hosts 1-0 up.

Warwick continued to test the Newman shot stopper, but after just four minutes of being ahead, the home side squandered the lead as the visitors countered quickly and rounded goalkeeper Ben Cole to level things up.

Despite the favourites equalising, Warwick pressed forwards and Maximiliano Marto had a golden opportunity but he blazed over when we placed. He would be made to rue his missed chance as on 23 minutes, the away side prodded home when Warwick stood static from a corner.

Both McCarthy and captain Jonathan Robinson went close for Warwick, before Marto blazed another opportunity over the bar when he should have found the net.

Ben Cole was defiant in the Warwick goal and denied Newman’s wingers before and after the interval. However, he parried a free-kick into the striker’s path, which he poked home, but the forward was deemed offside.

McCarthy could find anywhere but the goal, as Marto picked him out in acres of space but again he could only hit the keeper. Seconds later, the away side did double their advantage as they charged forwards and flicked home to take the game away from a seemingly rattled Warwick.

Newman’s wide men were effective in attack, and saw a lobbed effort ricochet off the woodwork, before they did make it 4-1 when they glided through the tame Warwick defence and slotted home past Cole.

Warwick had an abundance of chances, but their effort in the final third was clearly astray on this day, as they let the opposition leave with all three points.

Nick Davies